Yes On Issue 1! Fair Districts = Fair Elections

Fair Districts = Fair Elections

Ohio Voters Pass Redistricting Reform!

On November 3, 2015, Ohio voters made history by passing Issue 1, a ballot measure that will make it harder for politicians to manipulate state legislative districts for partisan gain. The Ohio General Assembly passed ﻿HJR 12﻿in 2014 with overwhelming bipartisan support, and it then became Issue 1, a measure on the November 2015 statewide ballot. Issue 1 passed by a wide margin, with 71% of voters' approval.

Reforms in Issue 1 include:

Better partisan balance: creation of a seven-person bipartisan commission with at least two members of the minority party.

﻿Members include: ﻿

- Governor - State Auditor - Secretary of State - 1 person appointed by the Ohio Senate President - 1 person appointed by the Speaker of the Ohio House - 1 person appointed by the Ohio Senate Minority Leader - 1 person appointed by the Ohio House Minority Leader

Ban on partisan gerrymandering: explicit prohibition against drawing districts primarily to favor or disfavor a political party.

Requirement that districts reflect how voters actually voted: a plan could face a legal challenge if, for example, a party that wins about half of the votes for the General Assembly does not win about half of the seats.

Limitations on maps lacking bipartisan support: If the commission approves a map without at least two votes from the minority party, the map will only be in effect for four years rather than 10. This creates an incentive for bipartisan cooperation because the majority party on the commission has no guarantee it will remain in the majority four years later.

Places that endorsed Issue 1

Online Email ExtractorOEE vote "Yes" on Issue 1 on Nov. 3 10/12/2015
We are a leader in online email extractions and we urge a yes vote on Issue 1."

Ada IconAda Icon says vote "Yes" on Issue 1 on Nov. 3 10/12/2015
"If passed, this will be the first major overhaul in over 40 years and brings reforms to several key areas including bipartisanship, transparency, and accountability. Issue 1 will result in a stronger democracy and a fairer process for our state. We urge a yes vote on Issue 1."

The Akron Beacon JournalHow to improve the way Ohio is governed? Consider state Issue 1 7/14/2015
"If approved, the change would help restore a badly needed element of competition to legislative races, mainly through language urging representational fairness."

The Akron Beacon Journal Yes on Issue 1 9/26/2015
"Issue 1 on the statewide ballot in November would result in a bipartisan process for drawing state legislative districts, a vast improvement over the current system."

Unlock The InboxYes on Issue 1 9/24/2015
"Issue 1 is a concern for all citizens, fair elections allow for fair communications to help get the word out we allowed all parties fighting for issue 1 to use our email tester to ensure maximum reach for this campaign."

The Akron Beacon Journal Again, for Issue 1 10/17/2015
"Get out and vote, if for no other reason than Issue 1. "

The Athens NewsVote for Issue 1 to revive democracy in Ohio’s Legislature 10/07/2015
“The drawing of “safe” districts for both parties has had the profoundly undemocratic effect of creating primary elections where the most extreme candidate, the one supported by the party’s most uncompromising loyalists, has a built-in advantage.”

Chillicothe GazetteState Issues: Yes on 1 and 2, No on 3 10/10/2015
"Issue 1 would institute a bipartisan process for drawing state legislative districts, which would eliminate the current process that leans too heavily toward gerrymandering and allows one party to control too much of the process. It would help create competitive districts and potentially give all Ohioans better representation at all levels."

The Cincinnati Enquirer Editorial: Yes on Issue 1 to end politics as usual 10/21/2015
"This election offers a rare chance to change politics as usual – and without casting a single vote for a candidate. Ohioans simply need to vote for Issue 1."

CityBeatYes on Issue 1: Changes to redistricting for state representatives 10/28/2015
"Have you ever wondered why Ohio, held up as the quintessential swing state, has a General Assembly that is dominated by one party? The answer, at least in part, has to do with the state’s method for drawing its state house districts. Issue 1 looks to change that process, which is currently undertaken by the state legislature."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer Yes on Issue 1, Ohio redistricting reform: endorsement editorial 9/24/2015
"Ohioans should vote "yes" on state Issue 1, a proposed amendment to the state constitution to reduce gerrymandering --the partisan practice of drawing politically rigged General Assembly districts after each census."

The Columbus Dispatch Best chance for change: Redistricting Reform can happen through Issue 1, high-court ruling 7/19/2015
"Political districts should be drawn according to fair rules, and the rules prescribed by Issue 1 are a huge improvement."

The Columbus Dispatch Vote Yes on Issue 1 9/27/2015
"Reforming the way state House and Senate districts are drawn is overdue, and there is an opportunity on the Nov. 3 ballot for voters to finally endorse a plan that should help reduce, if not eliminate, howls about gerrymandering and the disservice it does to Ohioans."

The CourierMapping reform 8/28/2015
"The reform measure on the Nov. 3 ballot is designed to increase the transparency of the process and the influence of the minority party. A seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission would require districts to be more geographically compact, politically competitive, and more representative of the state."

The Courier Issue 1 9/24/2015
"Both parties have endorsed Issue 1 and there’s no organized effort to defeat it. Voters can help restore integrity to elections and make them fairer and more competitive by voting yes on Issue 1."

Crain's Cleveland Business Yes on Issue 1 10/11/2015
"Any effort that encourages, or, if necessary, compels compromise and competition is good. Our hope is that Ohio voters will approve Issue 1 on Nov. 3. And we hope the Ohio Legislature then uses the statewide vote as an example and takes the next step, reforming the way we draw congressional districts here, too."

The Daily Jeffersonian ANOTHER OHIO VIEW Mapping reform 9/08/2015
"The reform measure on the Nov. 3 ballot is designed to increase the transparency of the process and the influence of the minority party. "

Herald StarIssue 1 makes much sense for Ohio voters 10/30/2015
"Issue 1 sounds like the real deal - or at least, as close as Buckeye State Republican and Democrat leaders are ever likely to come, and voters should approve it."

The Lima News State Issue 1 a good solution to redistricting overreaches 9/05/2015
"The proposed system offers a real incentive to the members of the redistricting board to truly pause and draw as fair of districts as possible. It also has an openness to it you don’t see now, with this board’s meetings being opened to the public so taxpayers can truly see what’s behind the maps."

Mansfield News JournalEditorial: ‘Yes’ on state issues 1 and 2; ‘No’ on 3 10/30/2015
"There is strong backing by many groups of Issue 1. It’s a good one to cast a “yes” vote on."

Pomeroy Daily Sentinel Editorial: State Issue 1 a good solution to redistricting overreaches 10/16/2015
"We support this step in the right direction and encourage the leaders to continue finding ways to apply these same common-sense principles to the congressional districts. We heartily endorse State Issue 1."

Star BeaconYes on Issue 1, No on 2 and 3 10/31/2015
"Redistricting is a process that has been abused by political parties since almost the beginning, and anything that limits gerrymandering is welcome."

The Toledo BladeTake back the power 7/05/2015
"Redistricting is not a partisan issue; given the opportunity, Democrats abuse the process as brazenly as Republicans do. That’s why neither party should be allowed to control the process."The Toledo BladeYes on Issue 1 10/04/2015"Issue 1 would start to make the General Assembly more representative of all Ohioans, and less of a game that is fixed by politicians against voters. Vote YES on Issue 1."

The Toledo BladeIt’s Number 1: Ohioans should ignore the distractions, and vote to take back their state government at long last 10/25/2015"Issue 1 is far preferable to the corrupt status quo. It enables Ohio voters to take back their state government from both parties. If we miss the chance to clean up the rigged redistricting process, we may not get another opportunity for a long time. Vote YES on Issue 1."

WCPO Editorial: Issue 1 begins to reform gerrymandering, but leaves more to do 10/22/2015

Xenia Gazette Issue 1 finds good solution for redistricting 10/17/2015"Still, when a diehard Republican such as Huffman and a diehard Democrat such as Sykes can get together and see its benefits, we should all consider voting for it. The issue already has the backing of other groups that would seemingly be at odds, including business and union leadership."

Youngstown VindicatorVote ‘yes’ on state Issue 1 10/18/2015"Indeed, Ohio voters can join in by voting “yes” on state Issue 1 that will be on the Nov. 3 statewide ballot. The constitutional amendment would totally change the way Ohio’s legislative districts are drawn every 10 years in the wake of the national population census."

Zanesville Times RecorderEditorial: State Issue 1 deserves support 9/26/2015"One last thing about Issue 1 that we like; it would strive to avoid splitting counties and townships in two. In some cases, we’re sure, that will be unavoidable, but we believe the system works best when cities, counties and townships aren’t split by those political boundaries."